The LEED® Canada initiative began in October 2006 when the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) decided to update the green building rating system to address existing buildings in addition to new buildings. Enerlife has been retained to project manage the first pilots for this next generation of LEED Canada and assist in incorporating performance-based credits for energy and water efficiency. The pilots are being conducted across Canada to:

• provide online delivery of LEED assessment tools, action planning and performance reporting;
  
• streamline LEED certification for easier access, higher speed and lower cost;
  
• create an integrated, life-cycle rating and performance management system for new and existing buildings, portfolios and campuses;
  
• develop a market of LEED accredited owners, property managers, service providers and programs; and
  
• define and develop education and accreditation programming for building sectors.

The first pilots involve K-12 schools, commercial office, and government and utility administration buildings. The pilots include benchmarking of energy and water use, estimation of conservation potential, and engineering assessments of the most efficient buildings. Workshops with participants will assess the energy and environmental performance of their buildings and the development of action plans to move building portfolios towards LEED certification.

For further information, visit the Canada Green Building Council website at http://www.cagbc.org/.